Archive for February, 2010

« Older Entries

GPS Vehicle Tracking – Do You Know Where Your Wheels Are?

February 25th, 2010



While for the first two decades of its history, GPS technology was reserved for the use of the US military, it has now gained widespread commercial acceptance. One of the most prevalent of its commercial uses has been in GPS vehicle tracking units, which are now common in transportation and freight fleet vehicles and delivery and courier service trucks. Owners of fleet and delivery vehicles have found GPS vehicle tracking systems indispensable in keeping track of how their vehicles are being used at all times.

Even private automobiles and motorcycles can benefit from having GPS vehicle tracking; the automobile tracking devices can either be removable or be a permanent component of the car’s radio/CD system. Some automobile GPS vehicle tracking systems can actually use the satellite information they to create maps which actually track the vehicle’s progress.

Some GPS vehicle tracking systems not only provide mapping, but give text information on roadside rest areas and service stations and even voice directions. These units allow drivers to keep their concentration on the road, while not worrying that they will miss a turn and go miles out of their way before realizing their mistake.

Theft Prevention

If you are someone with a model of car which is targeted by car thieves, you can use a GPS tracking system to thwart them. You’ll have to pay a installation and monthly satellite fees, as well fees depending on the commands the system uses, but the satellite tracking system will allow your vehicle to be found and disabled with a command. Having this feature on your GPS vehicle tracking system can save you money in insurance premiums, and if your car is rare and valuable, save you the heartache of losing it.

Owners of fleet vehicles will find that their GPS vehicle tracking systems can save them significant amounts in fuel costs by helping their drivers avoid traffic jams which tie them up and can lead to accidents, and by letting them know if their vehicles are being used for unauthorized travel.

Why You Need A GPS Vehicle tracking System

If you are considering a GPS vehicle tracking system for your personal use, just think abut all the times you have been lost in a strange part of the world, and received three different sets of directions to your destination from the first three people you asked. Or think about how many times you have wondered if your teenager was really at the library or the school dance. Or how much time you’ve lost trying to find the quickest way to work when the usual route is torn up with construction.

GPS vehicle tracking is the perfect way to find answers to all your questions about where your vehicles are going both when you are not the one behind their wheels, and when you are!

By: David Faulkner

No comments »

Posted in Article

Tags:

GPS Navigation Systems – A Quick Guide

February 25th, 2010



If you are a technology and gadget addict, you’ve probably heard and seen and experienced the power of GPS navigation systems! Today, GPS navigation is becoming quite common and GPS devices are all the rage. These small sized systems stored a whole lot of information and can prove to be very helpful, especially if you visiting places you’ve never been to before.

More than that, GPS navigation systems make for excellent gift choices. Trust me, if your partner or friend travels the world, a GPS navigation device will be the ideal gift on their next birthday. Packed with incredible features, these devices are easy to use and fun. However, due to the numerous models and designs available, choosing a GPS system can be very confusing. So, sort through this mess with this quick guide and pick the best GPS navigation system for you.

The GPS navigation systems market is a very competitive one. You can give models with similar features from different manufacturers and at different prices. Typically, the price for these devices ranges from $150 to almost $1000, depending on the features. GPS systems come with a wide set of technology driven features that can make choosing the best one in your budget a challenge. While most manufacturers offer features like FM transmission, Bluetooth, multiple route numbers, live weather, traffic updates, losing yourself in this sea of complexity can be overwhelming, especially to a relatively less educated buyer. So let’s start by understanding these complexities one at a time.

Now, like most appliances and gadgets there are several players in this field too. However, it’s best to go with the bigger and more reputable manufacturers as you can sleep peacefully knowing that your device will be supported and serviced. The biggest players in the GPS navigation systems market are: Garmin, Tom Tom, & Magellan.

Garmin GPS navigation systems are known for their wide range, their superior quality, and excellent technology. Tom Tom is a relatively new entrant in the market and has managed to capture a sizable chunk in this space by offering competitively priced, quality products. However, it is Magellan that was the pioneer in the GPS industry!

So what about their features? Broadly speaking, all GPS devices come with a touch screen interface, voice directions, a database of ‘points of interest,’ auto-calculate the distance facility among other things. So, if this is all that you demand from the GPS device then you can pick one up for around $150 from any of the biggies.

However, if you want a more feature packed device then you’ll also have to pay more. By spending a couple of hundred dollars more you can get an integrated Bluetooth feature for hands-free voice calling, extensive maps, real-time traffic and weather conditions and a bigger points of interest database.

Finally, GPS navigation systems that calculate the distance between multiple destination points on different routes are the most expensive devices in the market. So depending on your budget and requirements, you can easily buy a GPS device for around $350-$400 and never be lost in a new city again!

By: Hayi Mansoor

No comments »

Posted in Article

Tags:

GPS Devices – Don’t Get Lost

February 24th, 2010



Mobile GPS devices are becoming more and more popular each day, for they allow great portability. Most consumer GPS devices can be easily fit into the palm and are not that heavy as well. It can also be clip to a pet’s collar or fit into a cell phone. The basic concept behind GPS unit is quite simple. It includes a radio emitter that works with a clock, and together they work with Satellite that are located in the space. And now with the booming of technology, we have GPS device installed in many laptops computers, cars and even at seat back television screen of airplanes.

While the GPS technology does not really need a lot of space, the software that adds the functionalities expected by the consumer, actually does. The software once created, gets improved by getting smaller. The fact that not all GPS features are required by the customers, allows for smaller GPS devices.

How does a GPS device work? As already said, the GPS device requires a radio emitter and a clock to work. The emitter sends the time of the clock to the satellite overhead. The satellite then calculates the amount of time it took for the radio signal to reach them and then figures the distance from that. Three or four satellites compare their location and the time involved. They then show the location within about six inches depending on the accuracy of the unit’s clock.

Portable GPS device can be of many use. Besides plotting navigation or tracking objects and living things, it can use the data as information in applications.

Many mobile devices are GPS enabled in the present times. One of the most talked about, is the GPS navigation system of Nokia N95 and the Nokia 6110 navigator. The GPS of these devices are very user-friendly, and designed to meet the requirements of the modern users.

By: Alice Erin

No comments »

Posted in Article

Tags: